Aira Force waterval ten westen van Ullswater c. 1864 - 1900

Francis Frith made this albumen print of Aira Force waterfall using a process involving light-sensitive chemicals on paper. The very nature of photography in the 19th century dictated a meticulous approach, a far cry from our instantaneous digital age. Frith would have carefully coated paper with a mixture including egg white and silver nitrate, creating a surface receptive to light. Then, using a large format camera, he captured the image, each photograph demanding considerable time and expertise. The tonal range in the print is remarkable, with deep blacks in the rocks contrasting against the cascading white water, this is no accident: Frith harnessed the inherent qualities of the albumen print to create a romanticized image. Frith’s commercial approach to photography – he ran a very successful firm - meant he could disseminate these sublime, romantic visions of nature on an industrial scale, catering to a growing Victorian middle class eager to consume images of picturesque landscapes. This artwork invites us to reflect on the processes, labor, and commercial context that shaped both the image and its reception.